From Webs to Wound Healing: ASU Scientists Harness Silk for Medical Innovation
Summary: Arizona State University researchers, led by Professors Jeff Yarger and Kaushal Rege, are pioneering silk proteins from silkworms and spiders for advanced wound healing, as detailed in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering. Their laser-activated sealants (LASEs) embed gold nanorods or indocyanine green in silk fibroin matrices, enabling near-infrared laser-triggered heating to seal wounds in seconds—stronger than sutures while minimizing trauma. Versatile forms (fibers, hydrogels, sponges) loaded with antibiotics like vancomycin promote sustained release, biocompatibility, and biodegradation, targeting chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and pressure sores by enhancing tissue repair and infection prevention.
Key Highlights:
- LASEs close wounds instantly via photothermal activation, outperforming sutures in strength and reducing scarring/infection.
- Silkworm silk fibroin serves as biocompatible matrix; spider egg-case silk explored for tendon-like scaffolds due to superior toughness.
- Drug delivery: Sustained vancomycin release combats biofilms in chronic wounds; preclinical models confirm efficacy.
- Versatility: Processable into 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering, personalized dressings with growth factors.
- Future: Recombinant spider silk production to scale up; applications in DFUs, burns, and surgical sites for faster, safer healing.
Keywords: spider silk, silk fibroin, laser-activated sealant, chronic wound healing, biodegradable scaffold